Attn: New Jersey - A message from the Palestinian American Community Center re: opposing new attempts to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism
Dear PACC Community,
Our state lawmakers are once again considering adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Association (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. While we strongly oppose antisemitism in all its forms, this particular definition is deeply flawed and dangerous because it conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitism—effectively silencing Palestinians and their allies who speak out about human rights violations.
The First Amendment protects our right to free speech, and adopting this definition would set a chilling precedent that suppresses legitimate discussions about Israeli policies and their impact on Palestinians. Many human rights organizations, including Jewish groups, have warned that the IHRA definition is being weaponized to shut down advocacy for Palestinian rights.
We urge you to take action now. Visit noihranj.org for talking points, relevant articles, and to find your legislator.
Starting today and for the next week, we NEED to take action. Commit to making calls to your district's lawmakers, both Speaker Coughlin, and Scutari everyday. That is 5 calls.
Call Scutari at (732) 827-7480 & Coughlin at (732) 855-7441
Visit njleg.state.nj.us, check your district, and identify your district lawmakers. Keep their names and numbers handy! (This information can also be found on noihranj.org)
Emphasize that fighting antisemitism must not come at the expense of silencing Palestinians and their lived experiences.
Share this message with your friends, family, and networks to ensure our voices are heard loud and clear.
Our community stands for justice, equality, and the protection of fundamental freedoms. Let’s ensure our lawmakers do not endorse a policy that erases Palestinian narratives and undermines our constitutional rights.
There is a lot weighing on us—the stress of managing our daily lives while also protecting our rights can feel overwhelming. But as we watch the ongoing news from Palestine, we are reminded of who we are. We draw our strength from those on the ground and from the resilience of this movement. Now is the time to channel that strength into action—organize, speak out, and stand firm.
Thank you for taking action today. Together, we can make a difference.
Sincerely,
Haliema Twam
Civic Engagement & Advocacy Manager